Where Should I Start?

[SwoleyGuacamole]

Im new to everything hunting. I literally just got my hunters education cert a few days ago to just put my foot in the door. Where do I go now?

 

[JeepKuntry]

Find public land in your area. Learn how to read topographic maps. Boots on the ground! I say that and 23 years later I am still learning.

 

[SwoleyGuacamole]

Find public land in your area. Learn how to read topographic maps. Boots on the ground! I say that and 23 years later I am still learning.

thankfully the army has helped that aspect of reading maps. I may not be the best but I can get around

 

[Pic IN the Casa]

If it's deer hunting- learn about layering clothing for warmth. Learn to hunt with the wind in your favor. Tree stand safety is critical. Don't worry about killing big deer.

If it's duck hunting- hope to be in the inheritance document of a rich uncle.

If it's turkey- just watch birds as much as possible.

 

[Volbuck777]

Go to the woods, Enjoy it, and don't think you have to kill a 12 pt buck to be a great hunter. I'd even go as far to say hunt small game first and you'll learn a lot about deer and turkey along the way. Good luck

 

[Weegee]

I'm based in Antioch, too and it's really not far from huntable ground. Get OnX maps or some other mapping application and go walk around chunks of public that you find. Parts of Percy Priest and Yanahli get crowded, but most of the hunters are lazy and won't walk far. I'm only a couple years into hunting myself, so not an expert. But if you have any specific questions about our neck of the woods I'd be happy to help.

 

[Shed Hunter]

Wander around the woods as much as you can right now. It's the best time to scout. Might even find some sheds

 

[BSK]

What species are you interested in hunting?

 

[SwoleyGuacamole]

What species are you interested in hunting?

Deer and Elk

 

[mike243]

Welcome to the club, read all you can about preventing bites from ticks, they carry a lot of ugly stuff, had RMSF a few years ago and its rough , not sure how long I had it but took almost 6 months to stop it

 

[BSK]

Ticks and chiggers are NOT your friends! Invest in Permathrin!

 

[TNGRIZZLY_]

Where are you located in the state?

 

[Spurhunter]

You are getting into deer hunting at a good time. They are plentiful. Learn what they eat, where they travel, and where they bed. Always use the wind to your advantage. If you don't, they will smell you. Catman Outdoors has some good videos on scouting, different kinds of acorns, etc. You will learn a lot if you follow him on YouTube. Don't fall into the trophy hunting culture any time soon. Kill some does. Kill some bucks. Have fun doing it!

 

[SwoleyGuacamole]

Where are you located in the state?

middle tn

 

[Bone Collector]

a lot of good advice here. I will help you out with this.

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappv...959777.3628,-8996152.1957,4532749.3269,102100
I will add. people have said go to the woods now. For this week, weekend, and next week that is fine. March 28-29 is the juvi turkey hunt, so don't go that weekend. April 3rd turkey season starts, I would advise against ditty bopping around in the woods on public land during turkey season.

 

[Lost Lake]

There are a lot of good videos that will help you jump way ahead of the curve nowadays. Like was said, post season scouting will help you prepare for the upcoming season.

Try, if possible, to find private land to hunt. Public is great, and you'll learn a lot hunting it, but private will take away some of the competition while you're learning.

I really think one of the best ways to be a better deer hunter, is to learn to be a good small game hunter as well. There is a lot of opportunity for that these days, and it'll help your shooting and keep you in the woods being an observer.

 

[TNGRIZZLY_]

middle tn

You are in a great area.. go on YouTube and look up catman, he a great guy who is also on here. Just spend plenty of time looking and walking and trail camera is a great tool, but remember that people will steal them.

 

[TNGRIZZLY_]

I have been hunting over 25 years and the past 5 I am having to rethink my hunting ways. I always set up on food and open area, but after hunting with ano there hunter, he taught me to hunt bedding area

 

[Bushape]

Don't think you have to buy the best of the best to hunt. I am 40 and somewhat just figuring this out. You can kill just as many deer with a $300 gun and Wal-Mart camo as you can with a $1200 gun and Sitka gear.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

Where do I go now?

Squirrel hunting

 

[Sasquatch Boogie Outdoors]

Im new to everything hunting. I literally just got my hunters education cert a few days ago to just put my foot in the door. Where do I go now?

1st, dont measure success by the kill. Enjoy the outdoors, pack a camera along for the adventures. Find a friend that hunts. Most hunters enjoy teaching their craft to new hunters. Ask for permission to hunt private land (good luck) and use the public lands too. Goodluck!

 

[sun]

Im new to everything hunting. I literally just got my hunters education cert a few days ago to just put my foot in the door. Where do I go now?

1. I started out with small game hunting for squirrels which helped me get familiar with different public land parcels.
That provided an opportunity to scout for deer sign and deer trails

2. I read extensively, many magazine subscriptions to Petersens's Hunting, Field & Stream, Outdoor Life,, North American Whitetail, read some books too, and some mags may be available at your local library in periodicals.

3. I had to decide whether to be a ground hunter or a tree stand hunter.
I decided against tree stands and had fairly good success exclusively hunting deer on the ground, both still hunting/stalking and just standing on the groundl or sitting on a portable stool.
A portable stool and cushion can be carried on a separate belt and allows to set up anywhere.
I've spooked deer but sometimes they only travel a short distance away and bed down.
And I've also shot deer that thought that I was a doe making a ruckus in the woods.
Sometimes making noise won't bust you, and other times it will.
Wet or snowy days make moving through the woods a lot quieter, that's for sure.

A person needs to learn how to move really quietly through the woods.
A lot of deer follow small trickling waterways on the mountainsides, and bed in thick cover.
When it's windy or stormy, they seek protection on the far side of hills to avoid the wind.
Once you find a good spot with deer activity it's about setting up to be there at the right time.
If you hike too far off road then that increases the distance and effort to drag a deer unless you have help.

4. I live in a shotgun state, where only shotguns are allowed on state lands.
I never regretted hunting with shotgun slugs because the thick woods limits shooting distances anyway.
I use a 20 gauge because it has less blast to damage hearing with.
Whatever rifle that you choose, I would be concerned about ear protection.
And I always wear eye protection when hunting in the thick woods, because branches always get in the way.

5. There's so much equipment that a person can buy.
Some can be really helpful while other stuff can be a waste of money.
The hard work begins after shooting the deer.
Having the right items to dress it, get it out of the woods, to butcher it at home, and get it all wrapped up and into the freezer can take a few days depending on circumstances.

I think that doe in heat urine can be helpful as a cover scent or to use on deer scrapes that you want to return to.
A grunt tube can be used to attract or stop a deer in it's tracks.

A deer drag harness, a deer sled, rubber gloves, a deer hoist, a meat grinder, freezer paper are some useful items.
I've even processed a few deer hides by using a chemical tanning kit that takes the hair off, and it was a major chore,
But the hide becomes another type of trophy afterwards, and it can used for making leather items.

I took my 1st deer kill to a guy who showed me how to butcher it, but there's also books that can show how.

And don't forget to learn about muzzle loading for deer.
Shooting and hunting with a big bore smoke pole is also a lot of fun.
Larger holes can sometimes make for a better blood trail.
Happy hunting.

 

[redblood]

Deer and Elk

You may want to start with squirrels. Better accessibility and success and it will teach marksmanship and hunting skills much deeply than deer hunting

 

[Hookem]

Talk to a local outfitter and pick their brain. Many will give you some advice over a cup of coffee or at their place. Also, if you have hunters at your church, seek them out and they will help you begin the learning process.

 

[Vince]

Saw this on TWRA FB page:

https://license.gooutdoorstennessee...25HtEkG7qUZEKfLHSX0jdyiuQH7xN_0uYbOEPMrFit7Zg

 

[RobDooley]

If deer hunting....be as clean as possible. Don't buy into all the lures and scents. Learn to be still.